There is an old newspaper story. There may be some truth to your family legend, though it is hard to know if is has been embellished over time. The KKK is not mentioned in the article. The MCH mentions two speculative theories about the fire, both being accidental in nature. However, KKK activity might not have been advertised, or might not have been widely known. I have the "Murray Co. Heritage," and it has the article on the 1899 fire from the "Spring Place Jimplecute" [May 12 edition] and other related facts [MCH pp.101-103]. Be prepared for a gory description if you read the article. It was written in the popular style of that era. According to the story, Dr. Bagwell was well respected, noble, friendly, etc. He must have been a member of Spring Place Lodge--the masonic fraternity conducted graveside services. [This might be worth investigating--KKK might be known to cloak their group identity under masonic legitimacy--if so that would provide a clue. I don't know any real detail about KKK history. The masons are well established and respected. They would be loath to have their name connected to the klan.] According to the article, the young doctor's wife had recently died, but it doesn't appear as if they were from "up north." It says that they had moved to Spring Place "less than six years ago" from Pickens County. If they had previously moved to Pickens County from "up north," it doesn't say so. "Mrs. Williams," the housekeeper, burned to death, with the doctor, his baby, and his two other children. Survivors of the fire were Frank Williams, who later moved to Texas, and a Dr. John Gilbert. 1000 people attended the funeral. There was no mention of a woman having escaped the fire. Of course, if she hid, she might have escaped notice. If she had been known to be living there, there would have been a search party, but maybe she was visiting instead of living there. Dr. Gilbert and Frank Williams, the survivors, probably would have known of her, though, and nothing is mentioned; so, you have a puzzle on your hands. Perhaps the fire was written up in other papers as well. dkp Visit Southern Muse: http://www.southernmuse.com --- br549 <br549@prodigy.net> wrote: > You guys have been so helpful so far, now I need > more help. An aunt has > relayed a story and I need someone who has access to > Murray Co. history to > check it out for me. > > A young doctor and his wife from "up north" moved to > Murray County around > 1897-1901. They either brought a baby with them or > the young woman gave > birth there. The young woman died and my GGGMa > Williams (?) moved in with > the young doctor to keep his house and take care of > the baby. GGGMa was a > Cherokee. A spokesman for the KKK visited the young > doctor and told him to > get rid of the Indian. He refused. The Klan > visited him 3 times and told > him to get rid of GGGMa but he refused. My GMa was > about 9 yrs old and said > she could remember hearing the horses coming up the > road. The Klan > surrounded the doctors house and again demanded that > he throw out the Indian > and again he refused. The Klan set fire to the > house and killed the doctor, > the baby and my GGGMa. She would have been 50ish. > > My GGMa was in her mid 30's and hid in a cave so the > Klan wouldn't kill her. > She hid in a barrel when they loaded up and left > Murray Co. GGMa's name was > Mary Elizabeth Williams and she was married to > Samuel James Springfield. It > appears that they were in Atlanta in June 1898 and > in Texas in 1901 but I > can't be certain. My aunt says the reason I can't > find any records on Mary > Elizabeth is because she was Cherokee and just > assumed the name to pass for > white. > > Can anyone help me verify this story? It almost > sounds so bizarre I think > it might be true. Also, I think I read somewhere > that there is a Murray > County history book. Is that so and how could I get > one? Thanks to you > all, cindy moore > > > > > ==== GAMURRAY Mailing List ==== > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > -- Copyright 2002 Author -- All Rights Reserved > Post to List: GAMURRAY-L@rootsweb.com > http://www.selfroots.com > Unsubscribe request To: > GAMURRAY-L-request@rootsweb.com > ARCHIVES: > http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >